Mercy University

Mercy University admits approximately 85.5% of applicants, meaning roughly 17 in 20 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Mercy University in the Open Access category with admission rates above 75%, making it significantly more accessible than typical four-year institutions.

The peer median admission rate of 70.6% indicates Mercy University admits about 15 percentage points more applicants than similar private nonprofit institutions. This open access approach means most academically prepared students can expect admission, though students should still meet basic eligibility requirements and submit complete applications.

The high acceptance rate reflects the institution's mission to provide educational opportunity to diverse student populations, including substantial numbers of first-generation and Pell-eligible students. For prospective students, Mercy University represents a reliable admission option that should be considered a likely acceptance rather than a reach school.

Students building college lists can treat Mercy University as a strong safety or match school while pursuing more selective options elsewhere. This accessibility combined with the institution's exceptional value-added outcomes makes it an attractive option for students seeking both admission certainty and strong post-graduation returns.

Mercy University maintains a cost structure that balances affordability with educational quality, particularly benefiting students from lower and middle-income families. The published cost of attendance reaches $32,391 per year, including $22,106 in tuition, $14,700 for room and board, and $1,692 for books and supplies.

However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid, with net prices averaging $15,770 across all income levels. This represents $16,621 in average financial aid savings, reducing the actual cost by more than half for most families.

Compared to peer institutions with a median net price of $27,143, Mercy University provides education at $11,373 less annually, making it substantially more affordable than similar private nonprofit institutions. The institution's financial aid effectiveness particularly benefits students from diverse economic backgrounds, with net prices structured progressively based on family income.

This cost advantage, combined with exceptional earnings beyond expectations, creates favorable return on investment conditions for graduates who achieve strong economic outcomes while managing reasonable debt levels.

Mercy University graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression over time, with outcomes based on substantial cohort sizes providing high confidence in reported figures. Median earnings rise from $44,969 six years after enrollment to $49,047 at eight years and $52,055 at ten years, representing 15.8% growth from the six-year mark to ten years.

These outcomes reflect data from 1,638 graduates in the ten-year cohort, 1,485 in the eight-year cohort, and 1,170 in the six-year cohort. The institution's standout characteristic lies in earnings beyond expectations, where graduates earn $27,886 more than predicted based on student demographics and academic preparation, ranking at the 96.9th percentile nationally.

This top-tier performance indicates the institution's exceptional ability to add value through educational programming and career preparation. Low-income graduates earn $39,200, providing solid economic mobility outcomes.

Approximately 29.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education. The earnings distribution spans from $29,099 to $76,821, reflecting diverse program outcomes and career trajectories across the institution's 11 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data.

Mercy University offers 11 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data, led by standout performance in healthcare and business fields. Adult Health Nursing ranks #7 nationally and #1 in New York state, producing 343 graduates with median earnings of $113,576 and an exceptional value score of 97.8.

This program represents 26.6% of all graduates and demonstrates the institution's healthcare education strength. Business Administration and Management ranks #161 nationally and #12 in New York, graduating 235 students with median earnings of $56,985.

Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods ranks #23 nationally and #5 in New York, with 190 graduates earning $36,556. Psychology ranks #113 nationally and #20 in New York, graduating 150 students with median earnings of $45,455.

General Studies ranks #50 nationally and #2 in New York, with 119 graduates earning $46,408. These programs collectively represent strong state-level performance across diverse academic fields, with several programs achieving top-tier rankings within New York and solid national positioning.